Since it’s now been determined that Leach and the TR are going to be stuck together for a while, we might as well be honest with each other.  We’ll use this piece each week to examine our methods of ball progression from the previous contest. 

Now, at first box score glance, I was irked at the lack of results from the backfield position.  We’ve documented statistical evidence over the last 3 or 4 seasons that indicates some kind of direct relationship between Leach’s winning percentage and the involvement of the running back position in the gameplan.  For all you hethens and disbelievers, check my notes.  It hath been written down long for thou had cast thyself upon thus site.  I’m trying to clean up my language this season.  His record is something crazy like 32-5 when the RB position receives more than 20 combined opportunities in a game.  It’s worse than the Aggies when less than 20, so it’s quite impressive we weren’t blown out in this contest.  I’ll look it up at some point, so we don’t lose track of it.  I’ve also come to my own opinion that Coach Leach, who I am an advocate supporter of, is somewhat overrated as a playcaller.  I have seen signs of what I consider improvement, but at times, he either out-thinks himself or becomes predictable.  The football team at times seems to absorb the energy of forcing things that should work to work.  In other extended stretches, he’s nothing short of magnificient.

Batch/Jeffers/Stephens aggregately received 18 touches yielding 88 tandem yards and 1 TD.  I’m not going to nitpick 2 touches given the lack of production on 18 attempts.  Now, at the microlevel, we start to pick up some interesting trends.  First, I guess we’re burning Eric Stephens redshirt.  Second, usual big play threat Batch only ground out 3 yards  a time on 10 chances.  Lastly, Jeffers may be a guy we need to get involved earlier in the game.  While the principles of ball distribution are much to be admired in Leach’s system, we should have learned something from the Crabtree Era.  When the money’s on the line, always saddle up on your stud.  I’ve inserted the Bob Talman cliche’ to keep Papadoc interested since we quit cussing 3 paragraphs ago.  He’s probably drawing on an etch-a-sketch as we speak.  I had a picture to insert here for him, but I can’t figure out how to work the technology on this new blog format yet.  It was put together by a couple of little Indian dudes from UT.

Leach built his program around recruiting guys who could beat you before they got the ball in their hands.  I was impressed with this policy and it serves our program well given those type of guys are much easier to find than the ones who can beat you after the ball’s in their hands.  The rate of improvement in our WR and QB depth has been staggering over the years.  On that note, I agree with the NFL in that Leach has yet to field a RB that could crack Spike’s top 5.  Sammy Morris would be an All American in Leach’s offense.  Now, if you could just get a Byron Hanspard to stick next to him, and any of Leach’s last 6 TE offers, you would start to see exactly what Leach can do with his offense.  I’m not sure which guy it is yet, but one of Baron Batch or Harrison Jeffers is probably the first Leach has fielded in his tenure that could crack that top 5.  After week 1, it seems Harrison Jeffers is the most likely candidate.  I don’t know anything about what type of defense Rice has, but I bet they’re damn good at angles and shit.